Real Founder Lessons
The best predictor of startup success is getting lots of small stuff done
(at minute 35:55)
Common Founder Issue
I tend to focus on startups that are very early stage. This typically means just a few passionate founders working 24/7 on an idea. Over the years I’ve struggled with how to identify the most promising teams before their businesses have had enough time to show traction.
Before even seeing this video, I . . .
Most startup products are 10% better. 10x better is required to beat incumbents.
(at minute 16:33)
Common Founder Issue
Founders typically try to get as many users as possible as early as possible. What typically works better is for a startup to find 100 super fans initially because "it's a lot easier to take something that has a real depth of appeal - something that people really love - and grow that than it is to take . . .
Paid advertising is the tax you pay for not being remarkable
(at minute 43:12)
Common Founder Issue
I often hear founders launch the the first version of their product and then complain that they have a "marketing problem" when initial customers aren't signing-up as quickly as expected. When this happens, I typically think this isn't a marketing issue...it's about the product.
Context
. . .